Thien Hau Temple

Thien Hau Temple is a historic Chinese temple located in Cho Lon, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Built around 1760 by the Cantonese community, it is dedicated to Thien Hau (Mazu), the goddess of the sea. Notable for its traditional Chinese architecture, intricate ceramic dioramas, wood carvings, and large hanging incense coils, the temple is one of the oldest and most visited religious sites in the city's Chinatown area.

Visitors can expect a compact courtyard temple with traditional Chinese architecture, ornate porcelain friezes, wood carvings, and stone steles. The main hall houses statues of Thien Hau and her guardians, with large hanging spiral incense coils burning overhead. The interior is often smoky from incense, with worshippers praying and making offerings. The temple is located on a busy street in Cho Lon and is accessible on foot within a small complex.

Built around 1760 by Cantonese immigrants from Guangzhou, Thien Hau Temple is one of the oldest Chinese temples in Ho Chi Minh City. It was established to honor Thien Hau (Mazu), the sea goddess revered for protecting sailors and fishermen. The temple has been restored and expanded several times in the 19th and early 20th centuries and reflects the history of the Chinese community in Cho Lon.

The temple is an important religious and cultural center for the Hoa (Chinese-Vietnamese) community in Cho Lon. Dedicated to Mazu, it serves as a place of worship for safe voyages, good fortune and protection. It is especially significant during the Thien Hau Festival on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, when devotees gather for prayers and processions.